Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing packet scheduler fairness in a small-cell wireless communication network. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatus utilize “quasi-licensed” CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) wireless spectrum in conjunction with 3GPP wireless communication network (e.g. 4G LTE or 5GNR) for the delivery of services to a number of enhanced CPE (consumer premises equipment), such as fixed wireless apparatus (FWAe). The various FWAe report Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) data to their respective serving base stations over time, and each base station both builds a statistical characterization of each FWAe, and maps the CQI data to a prescribed configuration (e.g., to the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS)) adaptively for the transmission of the data to the FWAe, and development of a scheduler priority for each FWAe. In one implementation, once the CQI values are stable for a given FWAe, CQI reporting is terminated for a period of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for managing uplink resource grants in wireless networks. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: communicating resource grants to individual customer premise equipment (CPE) devices, the resource grants including at least a first resource grant to a first CPE device and a second resource grant to a second CPE device, the first resource grant giving the first CPE device the right to use a first set of resource blocks on a recurring basis, said second resource grant giving the second CPE device the right to use a second set of resource blocks on a recurring basis; monitoring the use of resource blocks granted to the first and second CPE devices during a first period of time; using stored resource utilization information to determine resource grants which are to be shared by the first and second CPE device.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms and apparatus for managing service provider network nodes in a converged network by inserting mobile network UE information into WiFi network communications such that a WiFi control entity may, in response to determining that the UE-inserted information is indicative of a jamming condition at a Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs) providing mobile network services to the UE, communicate the identification of such UE to various provider equipment such that CBSDs experiencing jamming signals may be identified and mitigation steps taken.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for multi-mode operation of a wireless-enabled device, including for extending the range of the wireless signal in a wireless network. In one embodiment, a multi-mode Consumer Premises Equipment (CPE) is provided utilizing “quasi-licensed” CBRS (Citizen Broadband Radio Service) wireless spectrum. In one variant, the apparatus and methods provide a solution to use a CPE in a Wi-Fi extender mode to extend Wi-Fi signal from a router. In another variant, a solution is provided to use a CPE in an LTE repeater mode to extend the LTE signal from an LTE eNB/gNB. In another embodiment, a CPE is used as a base station for a wireless network utilizing “quasi-licensed” CBRS (Citizen Broadband Radio Service) wireless spectrum.

Abstract: Detect, at a cable/fiber broadband network termination unit of a cable/fiber broadband multi-service operator, an interruption in service to a cable/fiber broadband network customer unit—small cell pair. Responsive to detecting the interruption, the termination unit advises a charging server of the operator of the interruption in service, a corresponding identifier of the customer unit—small cell pair, and a corresponding account identifier. Responsive to termination unit advising the charging server, the charging server advises a backend server of an associated cellular network of a customer identifier corresponding to the account identifier. Responsive to the charging server advising the backend server, the backend server advises a policy control function of the associated cellular network to modify network parameters of the associated cellular network to compensate for the interruption in service.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms and apparatus for allocating resources in a converged network to support, illustratively, Long Term Evolution (LTE) Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) transmission for supplemental downlink mode. Various embodiments contemplate allowing LTE eNBs having CBSD capability to use spectrum normally associated with a wireless access point (WAP) if such spectrum can be made available based on, for example, WiFi spectrum or channel measurements of interference such as provided by UE proximate the WAP and connected to the CBSD.

Abstract: Dynamic data rate selection in wireless networks is described. The includes sending, by a wireless controller to a base station, an access point power-data rate table. The base station updates a base station power-data rate table with the access point power-data rate table based on checking defined thresholds, confirms the validity of the updated base station power-data rate table by receiving measurements from a user device responsive to communications using the updated base station power-data rate table, reverts to a previous base station power-data rate table if the measurements indicate that the updated base station power-data rate table is not correct, and sends to the wireless controller one of the updated base station power-data rate table or the previous base station power-data rate table. The wireless controller updates the access point power-data rate table and sends the updated access point power-data rate table to an access point.

Abstract: A base station identifies received backhaul traffic including IP packets based on whether or not the reception was via a secure tunnel, e.g., an IPsec tunnel. Recovered data, e.g., an IP packet from an IPsec tunnel, is associated with an IPsec identifier having a value indicating that the packet came from an IPsec tunnel. Data, e.g., recovered IP packets, associated with an identifier indicating receipt via an IPsec tunnel are stored in a first transmission buffer, e.g., a high priority transmission buffer, while other recovered IP packets which were not received via an IPsec tunnel are stored in a second transmission buffer corresponding to a lower, e.g., normal, transmission priority. A downlink transmission scheduler, e.g. an MAC or frame scheduler, schedules transmission of frames includes IP packet data from both buffers, with data in the first buffer being given higher priority to reduce latency with regard to the IPsec traffic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for managing uplink resource grants in wireless networks. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: communicating resource grants to individual customer premise equipment (CPE) devices, the resource grants including at least a first resource grant to a first CPE device and a second resource grant to a second CPE device, the first resource grant giving the first CPE device the right to use a first set of resource blocks on a recurring basis, said second resource grant giving the second CPE device the right to use a second set of resource blocks on a recurring basis; monitoring the use of resource blocks granted to the first and second CPE devices during a first period of time; using stored resource utilization information to determine resource grants which are to be shared by the first and second CPE device.

Abstract: Uplink resource allocation in fixed wireless access (FWA) networks using wireless controllers is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for managing uplink resource grants in wireless networks. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: operating a first wireless base station in a first mode of operation, the first mode of operation including managing uplink resource grant schedules for a plurality of wireless devices connected to the wireless base station; receiving, by the first wireless base station operating in the first mode of operation, a transmission power down command from a resource management system; and determining in response to receiving the transmission power down command, by the first wireless base station, whether to switch from operating in the first mode of operation to operating in a second mode of operation, the operating in the second mode of operation including ceasing managing uplink resource grant schedules for the plurality of wireless devices connected to the wireless base station.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein provide managing power over Ethernet through a switch. In particular, the embodiments provide a mechanism for a Power Over Ethernet (POE) switch device to request change of operation of Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs) to dynamically adjust power requirements of the CBSDs. The POE switch device is configured to determine a power transfer rate is outside a predetermined range, and send a request to an identified CBSD of a plurality of CBSDs to operate under a different power mode to alter a power requirement of the identified CBSD. In this way, the POE switch device dynamically manages operation of the plurality of CBSDs and distributes power among the plurality of CBSDs based on power requirements, loads, and/or Spectrum Access Systems (SAS) limitations of the plurality of CBSDs. Such a configuration increases the number and/or type of CBSDs that can be deployed in a particular region.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing multi-tier quasi-licensed spectrum wireless service via a common wireless access node such as a small-cell. In one embodiment, the quasi-licensed system utilizes multi-sector antennae to create antenna lobes adaptively according to parameters associated with different cell sectors, such as user traffic, random access requests, and/or interference. In one variant, when the user traffic or interference is determined to be very high in a particular sector, the sector is configured and activated based on the availability of low-noise spectrum. In another variant, when a new sector is created, the electrical power resources available for that sector are checked, and based on the amount of power available at that sector, either CBSD Category A or B status is allocated to that sector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing devices access to wireless base stations. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: receiving over the air at a wireless base station a plurality of random access preamble signals from a plurality of devices; and determining, by the wireless base station, the order in which to respond to the received random access preamble signals based on an access priority list. The access priority list being determined based on customer premises equipment devices characteristics, attributes and/or properties.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein provide managing power over Ethernet through a switch. In particular, the embodiments provide a mechanism for a Power Over Ethernet (POE) switch device to request change of operation of Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSDs) to dynamically adjust power requirements of the CBSDs. The POE switch device is configured to determine a power transfer rate is outside a predetermined range, and send a request to an identified CBSD of a plurality of CBSDs to operate under a different power mode to alter a power requirement of the identified CBSD. In this way, the POE switch device dynamically manages operation of the plurality of CBSDs and distributes power among the plurality of CBSDs based on power requirements, loads, and/or Spectrum Access Systems (SAS) limitations of the plurality of CBSDs. Such a configuration increases the number and/or type of CBSDs that can be deployed in a particular region.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, and apparatus enabling communications between a mobile network node (e.g., base station, eNB, gNB) and a large number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices by defining IoT device groups comprising at least one primary IoT device and a plurality of secondary IoT devices. The mobile network node communicates directly with group primary IoT devices via a mobile network protocol, and the group primary IoT devices further communicate with the secondary IoT devices via a local wireless protocol. Identifiers are used to identify secondary IoT devices that are the source of transmitted uplink messages, or the target/destination of downlink messages. Identifiers may be bundled or concatenated such that the primary IoT devices can manage messages or other communications to/from the base station, which in turn handles all backhaul services necessary to support the group of IoT devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for managing uplink resource grants in wireless networks. An exemplary method embodiment includes a mobile terminal: receiving from a base station a first uplink resource grant schedule including a first uplink resource grant and a second uplink resource grant, the first uplink resource grant giving the mobile terminal an exclusive right to use a first set of resource blocks on a recurring basis and the second uplink resource grant giving the mobile terminal a non-exclusive right to use a second set of resource blocks on a recurring basis; and using, by the mobile terminal, the second set of resource blocks to transmit data to the base station during at least a first time interval of the first period of time, said first period of time including multiple time intervals during which the mobile terminal has been granted the right to transmit data.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wireless device (e.g., a cell phone) has a transceiver, a processor, and a memory. The processor store periodic downlink (DL) data received from the transceiver in a periodic DL buffer in the memory, aperiodic DL data received from the transceiver in an aperiodic DL buffer in the memory, periodic uplink (UL) data in a periodic UL buffer in the memory, and aperiodic UL data in an aperiodic UL buffer in the memory. The processor determines in what order to handle the stored data in the periodic and aperiodic DL and UL buffers and handles the stored data in the determined order.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing spectrum in a CBRS network to provide services to user equipment devices located at a customer's premises. In various embodiments, the customer premises has no landline connection. An exemplary method embodiment includes the steps of: receiving, by the CBRS CPE base station, over the air from each of a plurality of Citizens Broadband Radio Service Fixed Wireless Access (CBRS FWA) tower base stations a reference signal; selecting, based on the strength of each of the received reference signals, a primary CBRS FWA tower base station from the plurality of CBRS FWA tower base stations; establishing, by the CBRS CPE base station, a wireless communications link connection with the CBRS FWA tower base station selected as the primary CBRS FWA tower base station; reserving, by the CBRS CPE base station, an amount of spectrum for communicating with one or more auxiliary CBRS FWA tower base stations.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise systems, methods, and apparatus for enabling UE attached to a mobile network via a mid-band CBSD node to continue transmitting upload data to the mid-band CBSD node even in the event of a loss of Physical Downlink Control Channels (PDCCH) coverage of the CBSD node resulting in a failure of the UE to receive uplink grant schedule updates. Various embodiments contemplate that the UE responsively attaches to a low-band node which, based on physical cell ID (PCI) of the CBSD node, retrieves updated uplink grant schedules from the CBSD node via a backhaul network and provides the uplink grant schedules to the UE.